We just got our son a bearded dragon as a present for his 11th birthday. The dragon is 3 months old. We have had him in his enclosure for 3 days. The enclosure is a 40 gallon all glass enclosure. I have noticed that he seems to react a lot to his reflection in the glass and scare himself or go after himself and almost act like he's on a treadmill but walking against the wall. He also just tends to put his nose against the glass and stare out. Any suggestions to fix this issue or should I not be too worried with him still being new to his enclosure and adjusting.
Also, any suggestions on feeding bowls? I got a couple fake rock looking ones but he doesn't seem to recognize that there is food inside them and hasn't been eating much since he arrived. I do understand it is a process and he needs time to adjust to a new home but any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.
Welcome to the forum
Please go over the husbandry w/ us --- basking temps how your taking them ? Infrared heat gun digital probes or stick ons? UVB brand and bulb coil or tube ? What are you feeding him? He will go thru relocation stress that is normal --- but he should not quit eating if he does there is a problem - he should be eating something - hopefully your offering salads every morning along w / a good staple feeder -- crickets or dubias -- the glass surfing is normal he is probably wanting out but I would not let him as he is pretty young - if he is reacting to his reflection you can put up some magazine pages newspaper wrapping paper on the outside of the tank --- that will get rid of the reflection - its going to take some time but you need to work w/ him -- hand feed approach from side not above they have a 3rd eye and will think you are a predator -- hold him for like 5 minutes at a time or until he starts to squirm - I would put a piece of fleece or some sort of clothing in his hide so he gets used to your smell he is pretty young so its gonna take patience w/ him --- his bugs need to be dusted 5 x per week w/ vitamins 2 x per week -- here is a website for nutrition http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html ignore the kale thing its good to feed as a staple feeder
Karrie
Also, once you make sure your husbandry and setup is 100% up to speed, your son should handle his beardie several times daily. Literally the night of the day Marijke came in the mail (she was 3 months old when I got her, too!), I wrapped her up in a fuzzy pink blanket for cats that I bought weeks prior and embroidered by hand and let her sleep on my chest while I watched some Youtube videos. This will help your beardie bond and take to his surroundings a bit better. Also, they love to be able to roam outside of their viv outside of the 2 hours required to bask after each meal, so be sure to provide plenty of time for your little fella to roam around. When they are bigger, they can actually wear a harness and enjoy going places with you, so long as you pay attention to their temperature. I actually saw one girl walking around the mall once with her bearded dragon cradled like a baby, and it was the cutest thing ever.)